WHAT TO DO IN JAPAN ON NEW YEARS [4 THINGS TO DO]

Visiting a shrine or temple is one of the biggest events to attend to in Japan on New Years

New Year's, or Omisoka, is a special time in Japan and is celebrated with many traditional customs and activities. Because it’s the biggest holiday of the year for Japan, many shops and attractions shut down around Jan 1 - 3. If you're wondering what to do in Japan on New Year, here are four things to do in Japan on New Years!

4 things to do in Japan on New Year - Table of Contents

1. Visit a shrine or temple

2. Shopping “Fukubukuro”

3. Watch the sunrise

4. Countdown parties

Visit a Shrine or Temple

One of the most popular New Year's traditions in Japan is visiting a temple or shrine to pray for good luck in the coming year. Many temples and shrines are open late on New Year's Eve and offer special services, such as bell ringing ceremonies, to mark the occasion. Popular ones such as the Meiji Shrine, Sensoji Temple, and Zojoji Temple will be packed with a lot of people!

Meiji Shrine during New Years

1. Shopping Fukubukuro

Fukubukuro, or "lucky bags," are a popular tradition in Japan during the New Year holiday season. These bags are filled with a variety of items and are sold at a discounted price, with the contents of the bag usually a surprise until it is purchased.

Fukubukuro can vary in price and contents, with some bags costing a few hundred yen and others costing several thousand yen. The contents of the bags can include a variety of items, such as clothes, accessories, beauty products, and household goods. Some fukubukuro are themed, with the contents of the bag related to a particular brand or product line.

While the contents of fukubukuro are generally a surprise, many retailers provide a general idea of the types of items that will be included in the bags. Some retailers also offer fukubukuro with a specific theme or focus, such as beauty products or home goods.

Popular department stores such as Mitsukoshi or Takashimaya will begin selling on Jan. 2!

2. Watch the Sunrise

In Japan, it is believed that the first sunrise of the new year brings good luck. As a result, many people stay up all night to watch the sunrise and greet the new year with a special prayer or ritual. If you're planning to be in Japan on New Year's Eve and would like to experience this tradition, here are a few things to consider:

1. Choose a good location: There are many beautiful spots in Japan where you can watch the sunrise on New Year's Eve. Some popular options include mountain peaks, seaside cliffs, and observation decks. Do some research beforehand to find a location that will offer a clear view of the sunrise on the day you plan to visit.

2. Dress warmly: New Year's Eve in Japan can be quite cold, so be sure to dress warmly to stay comfortable during your sunrise-watching adventure.

3. Arrive early: If you want to get a good spot to watch the sunrise, be sure to arrive at your chosen location early. Many people visit popular sunrise-watching spots on New Year's Eve, so you'll want to get there ahead of time to secure a good spot.

Sunrise from a plane on New Years

3. Countdown Parties

There are many countdown events hosted by clubs, lounges, and restaurants throughout Tokyo during New Years. While some have been cancelled for a 3 years due to COVID (such as the popular Shibuya Crossing Countdown), many have opened up again such as the countdown event at the Womb and Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. Event hotel loungers will host a countdown event! Make sure to look it up in advanced as many of them can be ticket based that needs reservations.

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